More and more tourists are traveling in Greece by bicycle. For information, contact the Hellenic Cycling Association, National Velodrome, 15123 Marousi-Athens (tel. 210/689-3403).
Trekking Hellas, 7 Filellinon, 10557 Athens (tel. 210/331-0323; www.trekking.gr), can also assist you in arranging mountain-biking trips. But Greece is not the place to learn how to tour on a bicycle. Greek drivers have little experience in accommodating bicyclists, road shoulders in Greece are often nonexistent and even at best are not generous, and roads are not especially well maintained.
In the United States, Classic Adventures, Box 143, Hamlin, NY 14464 (tel. 800/777-8090; www.classicadventures.com), has been around since 1979. It often offers bicycle tours in Greece, such as a 12-day tour of Crete; or an 11-day coastal excursion that includes Corinth, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia, and the island of Zakinthos. They offer a significant discount if you sign on before January 15.
Mountain bikes are better suited for Greek terrain. You can bring your own along by train (for a small fee) or by plane (free, though not easy). You can take your bicycle with you on Greek ferries and on trains, usually at no extra cost. You should also bring along spare parts, as they are rarely available outside the major cities.
If you insist on trying a bicycle in Greece, you can rent an old bike for very little at most major resorts, and good mountain bikes are increasingly available. On Crete, mountain bikes are available for rent in Iraklion at Creta Travel Bureau, 20-22 Epimenidou (tel. 2810/227-002), which also has offices in Rethymnon and Ayios Nikolaos. In Chania, try Athanasakis Tours, 25 Halidon (tel. 28210/44-965). On Paros, the Mountain Bike Club, near the post office in Parikia (tel./fax 22840/23-778), rents good mountain bikes. On Rhodes, they are available at Mike's Motor Club, 23 Kazouli (tel. 22410/37-420). Kos is well suited to cycling, and bicycles are widely available for rent there.
